Wanted: new aphorisms. Examples include blogger Megan McArdle, with “Jane’s Law: The devotees of the party in power are smug and arrogant. The devotees of the party out of power are insane.” Writer Mark Steyn:Ã‚Â “Multiculturalism is a kind of societal Stockholm Syndrome.” David Frum: “There is nothing quite so powerful as an idea whose time has passed.” Bo Peabody: “The vast majority of the press is not concerned in covering what is actually happening. They are interested in covering what they think people want to think is actually happening.”

Roel M.

MLQ3:
The language Mabini uses of Rizal is apparently partly taken from language used of Christ. It is especially clear when Mabini calls Rizal’s sacrifice conscious and voluntary and when he calls for the imitation of his virtues. It appears that, early on, Rizal was regarded as some sort of Christ-like figure, even by those who could not be regarded as “rizalistas”. Interesting quote!

Shrinking news rooms make it harder for mid-level companies to get publicity; one solution? Blogs!

May I share an e-mail I have been saving………….

Hi Karl,

Many thanks for bringing to my attention the growing influence of the blogsphere. As I do not maintain my own blog, I am naturally not aware of the extent to which people now visit the blog sites of others. But you may be right — this is the democracy of the future.

joey legarda

Karl, i think blogging is a great thing. maybe, it’s more of a marketplace of ideas & opinions.It sort of give the pulse of the people. In a way the reach of blogging is not that far reaching since not many have the luxury of a computer, at list for now. maybe, blogging can be a good instrument to develop organized thoughts & opinion that can be used in a larger form of democracy where there is a better representation of different sectors of society.

One must experience abject poverty in order for one to somehow understand what hope a luck or a small wish that came true brings to a person who’s choices in life is limited between a “dunghill” existence or death.

The people in destitute which numbers by the millions are, in most cases, not in their situation by choice. given the opportunity, these poor will refuse to be the object of other peoples generosity. TV networks or even some religious congregations will continue to exploit the poor peoples instinct for survival. People will continue to cling to anything their mind can grasp including the promise of salvation or heaven or luck in their effort to find a way out of the hell of dung that they are currently in.

Needless to say a governemnt who could not create opportunities for its people so that they may become self-sustaining for their own needs, and one who’s citizens remain squatters in their own nation, is a failure.

joey legarda

MLQ3: fencesitter, i think it’s unfair to blame poverty to any administration because what we have to day is a product of decades of mismanagment.
my next point is that i beleave the administration is doing something about solving the problem.I think they are trying to put in place policies that will solve the problem in the long term.
solving the problem is one thing.dealing w/ peoples attitudes is another matter.
we really must concentrate our efforts to solve poverty in our country & be strong to not to be distructed by petty matters,our penchant to politisize everything.

“Needless to say a governemnt who could not create opportunities for its people so that they may become self-sustaining for their own needs, and one whoÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s citizens remain squatters in their own nation, is a failure.”

I totally agree, although the conclusion to that is that government has been a failure for practically forever. Marcos, Cory Aquino, Ramos, Erap, GMA…their administrations all failed by that yardstick. That’s perhaps why there is a subconscious attempt to ignore government and politicians.

joey legarda

MLQ3:Carl, I think any admin. will never succed not until we as a nation put our act together.for any admin. to make it through it’s mandated time it takes so much effort to fend off so much compitition & the power stragle that goes on.
Personaly,politicains make life harder then it already is.maybe in a dictionary poltics has a noble meaning but in reality & pinoy style it is a obstacle for our development.

when i say government,of course, i am not referring only to the present government. If you believe that the present administration is doing something towards alleviation of poverty, well that remains to be seen. I think i need to share this line with you- Chris Browne, the cartoonist of “Hagar the Horrible,” said, “Everybody has to believe in something Ã¢â‚¬â€ I believe I’ll have another drink.”

joey legarda

fencesitter,i like that part of having another drink.
but personaly, i would rather beleave that something is being done rather then be completely negative.
Napkils words are impressive.
Goverment is made up of people who make up society & who make up a Nation,So it’s hard to point a finger w/o pointing to ones self.

joey, before anything else – HAPPY NEW YEAR! Government is made up of people yes, THAT’S true. But in my simple understanding, there are two groups of people that make up a nation. One, the ruled or the governed OR the constituents which is most of us, and two the government who is given by the constituents (under democratic setting)the authority of managing and properly leading the country/nation.It is the job of any governemnt to lay down the specifics of management, of poverty eradication program, of setting the lead to clean leadership…

Keeping a positive attitude on the capability of the governemnt to deliver is not entirely wrong, but pointing or counting on the specifics so that we may be able to sustain that positive attitude is a real challenge.